The Life And Times Of James ‘The Rooster’ Corcoran
Rescue Dog, 2020
8/10
Listen to The Life And Times Of James ‘The Rooster’ Corcoran
A very unique effort, Vincent Cross pens a record about a relative, James Corcoran, who emigrated from Ireland to New York in the 19th century, got married and fronted a gang. To do this, Cross brings an English concertina, bouzouki, minstrel banjo, bodhran, and plenty of other noisemakers steeped in Irish and American traditions.
“A Man After Me Own Heart” starts the listen with an original Irish folk-tune that’s musically bare but vocally strong, and the traditional “Creole Girl” follows with warm plucking alongside a darker atmosphere with much mystery.
Halfway through, “King Corcoran” offers vivid storytelling amid spirited and organic instrumentation, while “Red Haired Mary Corcoran” soars with exceptional singing as the music is nothing short of gorgeous. “A Stranger I Came”, one of the album’s best, then displays intricate manipulation and accordion in a slow burning climate.
The album exits with 2 traditionals, the nearly a cappella “LCaoineadh dTri Muire”, and the indeed lovely “Farewell Sweet Lovely Katherine”, where Corcoran’s sorrow over the loss of his wife is portrayed in song with much grace.
This is the 3rd album from Cross, and it’s an impressive project where he learned to play some instruments just for this recording. Extremely detailed, highly exploratory, and often fascinating in its execution, you’re not likely to hear a folk record like this anytime soon, but you’ll certainly want to hear this one again.
Travels well with: Rufus Wainwright- Unfollow The Rules; Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks- Orange Crate Art